The overall objective of the programme is to promote inclusive and sustainable development through international trade.

It offers analysis and advice and seeks to build consensus, strengthen capacity and promote partnerships for trade policy, trade negotiations, trade in goods and services, competition law and consumer protection, and managing issues arising at the intersection of trade, the environment and climate change.

''Global production chains are a common feature in many industries involving an increasing number of developing countries. A key challenge is how to generate employment, and upgrade technology and productive capacity in order to maximize development benefits,'' said UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi.

A new UNCTAD publication reports on the effects of non-tariff measures in the developing world. The publication, "Non-tariff Measures to Trade: Economic and Policy Issues for Developing Countries," seeks to inform policymakers and other stakeholders about issues relating to non-tariff measures, which pose ever more challenges to international trade policies.​

UNCTAD South–South Trade Monitor No. 2 reports on general trends with regard to the magnitude and dynamics of South–South exports, and their sectoral composition. South–South merchandise exports in 2011 reached US$4 trillion, or a quarter of the world’s exports. In the past two decades, all developing regions have significantly increased their exports to the South. ​